Hawk player denies sex claim

A senior Hawthorn footballer has become the subject of the first in a coming series of police investigations into alleged sexual assaults by AFL players.

Police confirmed yesterday that investigators were looking at at least four sex-offence allegations against footballers.

The claims arose after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou earlier this year invited women to come forward with complaints.

The Hawthorn incident, which has been denied by the footballer and two others, who have provided written statements to police, allegedly took place outside Ferntree Gully's Stylus nightclub seven years ago.

The woman, who first contacted AFL executive Tony Peek in April this year, claimed she was lured into a car by the player and two other men.

Peek is believed to have referred the matter to police.

The player has admitted having sex with the woman, but has insisted it was consensual.

Hawthorn chief executive Steve Leighton was contacted by police 10 days ago and has been liaising with the player.

Leighton said yesterday in a prepared statement: "Having had our lawyers investigate the allegations, the club believes the player has committed no offence and that there was no basis for the allegations."

The investigation has remained a closely guarded secret.

Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab learnt of the allegation only on Monday.

The player involved has been severely distressed.

Club president Ian Dicker, who is in Manchester, has been kept informed of events by Leighton.

While Leighton refused to comment further last night, it is understood the club is one of several in the AFL who are critical of Demetriou's move, believing that the AFL was trying to take ownership of a situation it could not control by inviting aggrieved women to come forward.

Eight women are said to have contacted the AFL following Demetriou's public invitation, although several of those did not want to pursue their allegations through legal channels.

The invitation followed the sexual assault investigation into St Kilda players Stephen Milne, 24, and Leigh Montagna, 20. A woman told the police she was raped by the pair on March 14, after the team's Wizard Cup grand final victory. No charges were laid against the pair.

Speaking of the alleged Hawthorn incident, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner (crime) Simon Overland said yesterday: "Police have already spoken to a footballer and are likely to interview a number of other footballers.

"It would be inappropriate to suggest or speculate that those people are guilty of any criminal offences," he said.

The St Kilda investigation followed allegations of sexual misconduct levelled at players from several football codes.

Mr Overland said yesterday that the sex crimes squad would continue its review, but said it was not known "at this stage" if any charges would be laid.

Yesterday's claim came less than two weeks after Hawaiian police released files on allegations that three Hawthorn players and officials were involved in the alleged rape of a woman.

Those implicated have denied any involvement.

The allegations could not have come at a worse time for the club, which is sitting at the bottom of the AFL ladder with just two wins and has been forced into damage control following a series of controversies this year.

Among the off-field problems have been the drink-driving incident involving player Danny Jacobs - who initially lied to the club about his involvement - and teammate Lance Picioane; vice-captain Nathan Thompson's revelation regarding his battle with depression, which has proved a major ongoing issue for the club; the resignation of former player Don Scott from the board and his subsequent attack on Dicker's board; and the sudden death of director and club stalwart Ivan Moore.

Earlier this month the club received record fines following an on-field brawl against Essendon, chief executive Leighton announced his resignation after less than two years at the club and captain Shane Crawford was lost for the rest of the season with a serious arm injury.